Users' Acceptance of Cloud Computing in Saudi Arabia: An Extension of Technology Acceptance Model

Cloud computing has become a popular topic in the research community because of its ability to transform computer software, platforms, and infrastructure as a service. However, cloud computing literature currently lacks user studies despite the fact that users play a crucial role in the success and failure of emerging technologies. This paper presents a study aimed at investigating users’ acceptance of cloud computing in Saudi Arabia. As a baseline, it utilizes the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) along with five additional factors believed to affect users’ acceptance of new technology in the region in order to achieve the study goals. These factors are gender, age, education level, job domain, and nationality. The results demonstrated a high level of acceptance of cloud computing and a valid TAM in its standard form. The results also indicated that age, education, job domain, and nationality have a significant effect on users’ attitudes toward the adoption of cloud computing. However, no difference was found in the attitude toward the adoption of cloud computing between male and female employees. DOI: 10.4018/ijcac.2012040101 2 International Journal of Cloud Applications and Computing, 2(2), 1-11, April-June 2012 Copyright © 2012, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. play an important role in the success and failure of technologies. Therefore, this paper presents a study aimed at investigating users’ acceptance of cloud computing. This case study was applied to employees of information technology organizations in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (Davis, 1989) is one of the dominant models currently used in determining users’ intentions to use a new technology. It assumes that acceptance of new technology can basically be predicted based on two principles: Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEU). These principles are believed to significantly affect users’ attitudes toward using the technology. Moreover, Behavioral Intention (BI) to use a technology, as posited in the model, can be determined by users’ attitude together with perceived usefulness. As such, behavioral intention defines Actual Use (AS) of this technology. Previous studies have shown that TAM is an effective indicator for predicting the acceptance and usage of new technologies in different domains, such as information security (Fahad Al-Harby, Qahwaji, & Kamala, 2010; Boswell & Reithel, 2006; Lai & Li, 2005; Polatoglu & Ekin, 2001; Wang, Wang, Lin, & Tang, 2003), learning technologies (Sek, Lau, Teoh, Law, & Parumo, 2010), gender differences (Al-Harby, Qahwaji, & Kamala, 2009; Gefen & Straub, 1997) and new systems and interfaces (Amoako-Gyampah & Salam, 2004). Therefore, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used as baseline to predict users’ acceptance of cloud computing in Saudi organizations. It was extended with five factors: gender, age, education level, job domain (i.e., profession) and nationality. These factors were anticipated to affect users’ acceptance of new technologies in the region. The results of this study can be used as a basis for researchers and IT practitioners in the region who would like to adopt cloud computing effectively. The paper begins with a brief description about cloud computing in terms of definitions, classifications, architecture, economic values and benefits, and current cloud services. The paper then describes the adopted research model and presents the hypotheses. Then, the experimental instrument used to collect the data is described prior to discussion of the obtained results in terms of validation tests, sample profile and hypotheses testing. The paper concludes by interpreting experimental results into recommendations and guidelines that would help IT practitioners to adopt cloud computing effectively in Saudi Arabia.